Storage battery connecter



Jan. 7, 1936. A. ROCHELEAU STORAGE BATTERY CONNECTER Filedfeb. 25, 1955 Patented Jan. 7, 1936 PATENT OFFICE STORAGE BATTERY CONNECTER Antonin Rocheleau, Cap-de-Ia-Madeleine, Quebec, Canada Application February 23, 1935, `Serial No. 1,668 In Canada July 6, 1934 3 Claims. (Cl. 173-259) The present invention pertains to a novel connecter Adesigned for use in storage batteries, particularly of the type used on motor vehicles.

' "Ihe object of the invention is to provide a 5" A'simple device of this character which clamps on the battery post in opposite directions or in a scissors-like manner, and which is also readily accessible for attachment and detachment. In rthe accomplishment of these objects, the device consists of a pair of clamping plates formed each with an over-sized aperture with respect to the post on which the plates areV to be mounted. The plates are formed respectively with upstanding bosses or knuckles which come intoalignment when the plates are properly mounted. The clamping pressure is initiated by a bolt passed through the aligned knuckles and having a tightening nut thereon. Inasmuch as the bosses or knuckles stand up from the respective plates, the plates themselves do not interfere with the accessibility of the bolt and nut. Further, the knuckles4 are so mounted that a space remains between them, exposing a portion of the bolt, when the device is assembled on the battery post. In battery practice, the parts often become so corroded and coated that the clamp cannot readily be removed. In replacing such a clamp, according to the present invention, it is not essential to remove the nut. The exposed part of the bolt between the knuckles may be cut by means of a hack saw or bolt cutter, whereupon the clamp may readily be removed.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of eX- ample in the following description and in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of the device applied to a battery post, the latter being shown in section;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the device on a battery post;

Figure 3 is a similar elevation at right angles to Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the clamp plates; and

Y Figure 5 is a perspective view of the other clamp plate.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figure 4 is shown the clamp plate I which occupies the lower position, as `may be seen by reference to Figures 2 and 3. This plate is of substantially square formation and has a central aperture 2 which is somewhat larger than `the as the plate I.

battery post to be received therein, for a purpose which will presently appear. At one of the corners is formed an upstandng boss or knuckle 3 which functions as a part of the clamping mechanism as will also presently be described. 5 At the diagonally opposite corner is formed an integral lug or hook 4 projecting slightly over the top of the plate I parallel to the axis of the knuckle 3.

The upper clamp plate 5 is also of substan- 10 tially square formation and about the same size The plate 5 is likewise formed with a central aperture 6 adapted to coincide with the aperture 2 of platel when the plates are superimposed, and the aperture 6 is also 15 slightly larger than the post to be received therein. At one of the corners of the plate 5 is formed an upstanding boss or knuckle 'I similar to the member 3 and adapted to aline axially therewith when both plates are assembled on a 20 battery post, as may be seen in Figures 1, 2, and 3. From the center of the edge opposite theI member l, projects a lug 8 formed at its outer end with a grooved lip 9 for a purpose which will presently be described. 25

- Figures 2 and 3 shows a conventional battery post having a conical portion III surmounted by a cylindrical portion II asY may also be seen in Figure 1. The clamp plates are mounted successively on the portion II, rst the plate I and 30 then the plate 5, as already indicated. It is to be noted, however, Vthat the plates are so mounted that the knuckles 3 and 'I thereof project upward and stand in alignment with each other, as may be seen in Figures 1, 2 and 3. It has al- 35 ready been stated that the apertures 2 and 5 of the plate are larger than the part of the post which they receive, and it will be noted in this connection that the part of the post here involved is the cylindrical part II of uniform cir- 40 cumference.A In the assembly in the manner described, the lug 8 of plate 5 is received partly Ibeneath the hook 4 of plate I, the hook serving as a hold-down member in this relation to maintain the plates in mutual surface contact. 45

A headed bolt I2 is now passed through the aligned knuckles-3 and 1, and the latter are drawn together by means of a nut I3 on the threaded end I4 of the bolt. The over-size of the apertures Zand 6 with relation to the post Il 50 affords a slight shifting of the plates I and 5 as the nut I3 is tightened on the bolt I2. This movement is in the nature of scissors action wherein opposite edges of the apertures, respecuve1y, bite into the post Il at substantiany dia- 55 metrically opposite points, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. Finally, the usual cable is soldered in the lip 9 in the usual manner.

Due to the upstanding position of the lugs 3 and 1, the bolt and nut lie at a higher level than the plates l and 5. Consequently these plates do not interfere with the accessibility of the bolt and nut, and the clamp as a whole is thereby made easier than usual to apply and remove.

In the event that the partsbecome corroded or coated, as is often the case in battery practice, to such an extent that the nut cannot readily be removed, the bolt itself may be cut at the space which remains between the knuckles'3 and 1, as indicated by the numeral l5 inFigure 1. A hack saw or bolt cutter may be used for this purpose. The various parts of the connecter may be made of brass or other suitable metal dipped in tin or Ylead to prevent attack by the acid in the battery or the fumes issuing therefrom.

Although a specic embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that Various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:- l 1. A battery connection comprising a pair of superimposed plates apertured to be received yon a battery post, an upstanding knuckle formed and a hook formed at the corresponding edge of the other plate and adapted to interlock with said lug for maintaining said plates in surface contact.

2.V A battery connection comprising a pair of 5 superimposed plates apertured to be received on a battery post, an upstanding knuckle formed on each plate and adapted for alignment with the .other knuckle, a bolt passed through said knuckles for drawing the same together, a lug projecting from one edge of said plates, a hook lformed at the corresponding edge of the other plate and adapted to interlock with said lug for maintaining said plates in surface contact, and a lip formed at the end of said lug for attachment of a cable thereto.

3. A battery connection comprising a pair of superimposed plates'apertured to be received on a battery post, an upstanding knuckle formed on each plate and adapted for alignment with the other knuckle, and a bolt passed through said knuckles for drawing the same together, a lug projecting from one edge of said plates, a hook formed at the corresponding edge of the outer plate and adapted to interlock with said lug for maintaning said plates in surface contact, said knuckles being spaced apart when the plates are superimposed, thereby exposing a portion of said bolts, in combination with a battery post received in the apertures of said plate and $0 of smaller diameter than said apertures, whereby said plates exert a scissors-like action on said post whensaid bolt is tightened.

Y ANTONIN ROCHELEAU. 

